US ? or GOD ?

Its cool no worries...........

Admin wrote:"We aren't Christians because of what WE do. We're Christians because of what God has done for us."
What are your comments on this statement?

I think it is just semantics. It's a catchy slogan that maybe has truth for the person stating it, at that moment, that the person may reflect on and change later on. The problem with catchy slogans is that they sound good and people have a tendency to cling to them just because of that, and then there is a stopping of development and further consideration is dampened. So my problem is with any slogans that might be adopted and thought to be full truth.

Language cannot grasp full truth and we are left with words that can only hint at what we really mean. An exercise could be to think about the words: "We are Christians because of what we do (or don't do). We are not Christians because of what God has not (or has) done for us." And then go and change things and consider the various permutations that the sentences can support. That might be a way to arrive at a fuller meaning.

great answer maya.

sopherim

I agree with Maya, although I would not say slogan, I would say it is a rhetorical bs statement, but that is just me. What they are saying is rhetoric which keeps one serving ones mechanical nature, helps in keeping them earth-bound in thought, and keeps them complacent. It is rhetoric and they don't really see what they are saying.

There are many good formula's which exist in a short saying, that are more powerful them many people would imagine. However it is all rhetoric if one does not understand them and can't make use out of them, or doesn't make use out of it. That Christian rhetorical statement is something which serves their intoxication.

They do not understand what it takes to be a "Christian."

The_Passerby wrote: ... although I would not say slogan, I would say it is a rhetorical bs statement, but that is just me.

There are many good formula's which exist in a short saying, that are more powerful them many people would imagine. However it is all rhetoric if one does not understand them and can't make use out of them, or doesn't make use out of it.

It's interesting to see how others make sense of statements and what words fit them best when thinking about things. Then using their words to think about it some more.

I have found some good short statements since writing that post. They have the effect of expanding thought instead of cutting it off. (I really like what you said about making use out of them!)

exactley ,all the sayings mean nothing if there is not the appropriate action to follow.it is much like those t.v preachers who compel you to give your money to GOD AND THEY WEAR JEWELS WORTH MORE THEAN MY JEEP.and fly arouund in there private jets to preach the gospel of jesus,and living a servants life a humble life,.preaching sexual MORALITY while having sex with herion addicted male escorts... yuk the hiprocracey makes me sick more then any thing else. people who speak and do not hear ,are enemys of GOD ,a wave tossed about , a cloud with out water in a drought stricken country
.......................useless................................


sopherim

Admin wrote:The following statement was posted by a Christian on another site:

"We aren't Christians because of what WE do. We're Christians because of what God has done for us."

What are your comments on this statement?

PLU ~ Bob

In bringing some light to the origanal question which is the very reason why we should be as doves although knowing the extent of the Fathers Powers within us, We should from the Gnostic point of view, looking to those who separate God From themselves as under the veil which separates and not to create oneness.

The works we do that are righteous are being done for the enlightenment of the God seed within us that helps others as well as ourselves as we know also find their seed righteous too. is that not doing it for God,life , Logos to which is in all of us? So I would say Yes to both, which are the same in a Gnostic understanding. The Most damaging Scripture on the Globe I think is stated by our rascle Paul. For all come short from the glory of God. I understand like you that the outcome we see perpetuates that statement within the world now excusively from a summary point in time and has nothing to do with the future points ahead if one attains this oneness with the Father like many do, and can prove only to themselves this is word trickery for the earthly Frame of Thought.

In an enlightened Mnd, one should take the above question from those who ask it in true seeking and A tear in my soul reaches to seek to fill that gap in their Division so they may find the inheritance as our Brothers that was intended for them also. Many seek to outwardly alienate and point at to create an Illusion of raiseing themselves, but in truth are being pulled into the very division They scorn. Strength in the Father as a dove (24th Mystery of the First) muxh wisdom can allow one to fly peacefully through the midst of a Hurricane and division.

The expansion of progressiveness in truth is the power that has no limits.

Brother Thomas....

The_Passerby wrote:Sayings like the classic, "Know Thy Self." Is a powerful formula, but it is worthless in the hands of one who does not apply it to prove its reality within themselves.

Our mind feeds out of impressions, but not everyone consumes all that can be had out of the impression, although some statements will cause movement in you and if you connect your thought with action, that is reflect the impression in doing, you will begin to fulfill its reality in yourself. This will increase your capacity to perceive more out of it.

That is a good one and you're correct about the effect of action when it's combined with contemplation. I was thinking more about conclusions, rather. Right now, I'm working with the statement by St. Thomas, "A thing is not just because God wills it, but God wills it because it is just."

Sopherim7 - on the heroin addicted male escorts. That really made me laugh.

Prism1111 - Do you mean that there is no falling short when there is unity with God?

(I'll probably be gone for a week and if I don't participate for a while...that's why, it's not because I'm not interested in the discussion)

maya, your so cute, im glad that made you laugh, i giggled when i wrote it, but it is a so true statement.well i will miss ya , you are a very enligtening woman,and i enjoy your participation i am so glad you are "one with us "

and the st,thomas quote,one of my faves. when my life seems to be in troubled waters that pops in to my head,and it gives me joy in times of sorrow and peace during suffering.GOD IS NOT A LIAR NOR IS HE EVER UNJUST he is always rightious ,and it remindes me that there is a bigger picture and i am unable to see it all at this time from where iam currently standing , but hold on to your britches,because God is not choatic, his plan is divine and no matter what happens even if it is unexpected, God is is in control, CHRIST IN ME IS MY PEACE is my wisdom and understanding

sopherim

The only crucifixion that really matters is our own dying to carnality! - to our persona (mask)!

And it is God's Grace which gives us this desire for the death of carnality and coarseness.

I would definetely agree w/ the original statement. There is no thing I can do w/o God. The Gnostics know this through the myth of Sophia, so the renunciation of self-will is obviously Gnostic.

Maya writes:
Prism1111 - Do you mean that there is no falling short when there is unity with God?

Greetings Maya, and blessings to you in seeking such an important attribute of us all to try and ubderstand as we all Progress.

M't:5:48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

In the conical scriptures Christ related this in many ways to all, which is 100% positive of enlightening the God seed within us from asjing and seeking Him. Paul states the oppposit. For me just in this Differance the solution is plain to know which is correct.

Do we not tell our children that their best is all we wish from them. As our Father within us relates to us as our knowledge of him grows also?

We all must remember that life is not a distination, its is a Journey that has no end. when one is in the Father, he helps us each time to elleviate the fears within ourselves that we are not worthy, For we know from His son that came and showed us the same in us, that we are, inspite of all the pessimistic Spirits that try to tell us No, because they cannot(or are veiled to think so).

The Human Mind trys to see the black and white , the 0% or 100% where in truth all the knowledge and ways we need to progress are in between them both. Like one step at a time as they say.

Basically, when One has Unity with the Father the questuion of Falling short doesn`t even come into mind, His grace and Joy is all you see and Feel and become one in, and its all that matters. Going back to learn more that we need to to attain new insights is not falling short at all but a courageous progression to Him again. We are in the physical world of learning cycles, as the cyles of the seasons, planets and Sun which were created under divine lmpwledge. Know that You are an important part of this that is Loved in your journey always.

Hope I have shed so insight my friend
Brother Thomas......